Cat Naps Are Wonderful Things

Especially after breakfast on a cool, damp summer morning when the grass is too wet for outside sleeping. I have chores to do or I would jump in with her. Webster is stretched out on the rug in the guest room so it's very quiet around here. I think that heat wave we had wore everyone out! 

Wet Dog

I did this very thing to Webster this morning when he came in from the soft summer rain. It's so much cooler and it smells like mountain air with the doors and windows open again. We enjoyed the A/C but we are fresh air lovers here at the cottage. via 

Mellerstain House in Scotland

I was surprised to learn this charming cottage was in Scotland. It looks so much like a story book illustration, doesn't it? I love the hedge lining the walk. Let's go inside, shall we? via

Eat Local

I haven't been to a single farmer's market yet this year. The ones near me haven't opened yet. via

Peony Update

Since my peonies opened several days ago, there has been quite an explosion. Thankfully, we haven't had any rain to destroy them. They are a delight, aren't they? How does your garden grow? my iPhone photos

Antique Urns in An English Garden

The walls, the urns, the patina -- only in England! via

Interior Design for Gardeners

Don't you love peeking into an antique collector's home? I would love to poke around look at all of the  old gardening items and curiosities, wouldn't you? via

Owl Head Bump (Kiss on Forehead)

I can't believe today is the first day of June, can you? I'm ready for summer now so bring it on. I turned on my air conditioning yesterday and about 5 minutes later an alarm when off in my head. I forgot to take the cover off the outside unit. I ran to the wall and turned off the thermostat and ran outside to take the cover off. The fans on the unit would not go on so I called my repair company. Luckily they came over at the end of the day and fixed it. They said I was the second person idiot this week to do this very thing. You can be sure I'll never do it again. Click here to see this image in full resolution. It's great.

Happy June - I hope you will have a great weekend.

Folding Deck Chairs - Curbside Find

I found these very nice folding deck chairs someone put out for curbside pick up. I like them a lot and they are in perfect condition. They are ideal for the far side of my balcony. I never cease to be amazed at what people toss out. They are the same color even though the one on the right looks more golden because it was in the sun. They fold into a nice tight package and will take up almost no room in my garage when the season is over. See you tomorrow.

Nancy Lancaster Garden at Haseley Court

Don't you love Nancy Lancaster's trademark blue garden seats? Photographed at her last home, Haseley Court in Oxfordshire England. via Pinterest

First Peony 2013

I was rewarded for getting out of bed this morning with my first open peony. It must have been waiting for some hot weather. I am so happy. my Nikon photo

Nice Porch with Swing

It looks like a good place to be on a hot day, doesn't it? via

Peony Bud

One of these days the tight pods on my peonies will open. I'm in no hurry though. I like the upright buds. When they bloom, they will droop. Besides, I'm not going outside again anytime soon in this heat. It's 90° right now and I can hardly believe I had the heat on two days ago. my Nikon photo

Wood's Edge Early This Morning

My woods looked pretty with the morning fog in the background and the early sunlight casting its yellow glow here and there. It is hot now and will be 90° later. Webster is not a happy camper and I'm not either. Tabitha is in 7th heaven. my Nikon photo

My Birdbath in the Early Morning Light

Now I know why photographers prefer the early morning light. Everything just looks better before the sun has gotten very high in the sky. I took this photo a few minutes ago from the balcony with my Nikon. Of all my birdbaths, this one is the favorite for some reason. It serves as a perch too for the birds looking to pounce on an insect. See you later. Webster is whimpering to be fed.

French Bulldog Love x 3

The three little pigs. via

I'm up way too early this morning enjoying my coffee and the open windows with the songs of birds wafting in with the cool breeze. Tabitha got me up and I couldn't go back to sleep so here I am.

Red Clover at My Cottage

This red clover in my field looks very much like rose colored chive blossoms. I'll see you tomorrow. Have a good evening with sweet dreams. 

Pink Roses in An English Village

These roses are too beautiful for words. The climate in England was kind to rose species brought in as guests from far off lands in times of old and they soon became residents, grew up, bred and cross bred. via

Clay Flower Pots In Waiting

I love the upside down flower pot arrangement, don't you? They look so beautiful waiting for the moss on top of the wall to cover them too. via

J.R.R. Tolkien Quote

via

Hide and Seek with Chickens

Shhhhh. They will never find us in here. via

Nurturing the Milkweed

It's raining again as you can see.

I have a little stand of milkweed in the rear portion of my property. Every day I weed around the 14 plants. I grew up loving them and I hope they will stay. I used to make things and stuff them with the milkweed floss from the big pods after they popped open. Weeding the weeds -- crazy? I think not. Kids used to gather milkweed for the WWII effort -- read more here. It was used to stuff life preservers. my iPhone photos

Ants on Peonies

I've always wondered why ants like peonies but I don't know the answer. They just do. I took this photo just a few minutes ago on this cool Tuesday morning that feels like a Monday. I have to get this show on the road pretty soon because I have to go to an office meeting. See you later. my iPhone photo

In Flander's Field by John McCrae

 

In Flander's Field by John McCrae

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved, and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

"In Flander's Field" is a memorable poem that was written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae in a cemetery in the Flanders region of Belgium on May 3, 1915, the day after the death of his young friend, Lieutenant Alexis Helmer.

McCrae photo

Perhaps the most famous poem written during World War I, these simple but powerful fifteen lines, and the poppies they immortalize, have come to symbolize fallen soldiers. I think this is the perfect remembrance for Memorial Day and I post it every year.

Image: Painting by Willy Werner